What’s Your Preference?

crockny · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 02:04 PM

I'm thinking of getting my first flash ... I'm wondering what makes the Canon 580 EX II worth almost twice as much as the 430 EX II - is it power alone? Or are there other capabilities that make it worth the extra money? I know, you get what you pay for, but I'm not a professional and just want to play with light ... on the other hand, if I'm going to lust after the 580 after a while, maybe I should just go for it. Obviously I know nothing about flashes ...

Rentham · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 02:36 PM

The 580 is more powerful, has a wide power range (1/128 vs 1/64th), has better build quality, and more features such as the ability to be used as master to trigger slave flashes. The 580 also has a PC sync port if you want to trigger it via something like a PocketWizard. You'd have to get an adapter for the 430.

dlambert · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rentham

...such as the ability to be used as master to trigger slave flashes.

Note: This may not be critical for you, since I believe the 7D has this capability built into the body, but the master capability has always been one of the biggest benefits of the 580 .

crockny · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 02:43 PM

So if the 7D has the master capability built in, the 580 would not be a plus for me on that count ...

Rentham · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crockny

So if the 7D has the master capability built in, the 580 would not be a plus for me on that count ...

Good point. If your slave flashes can always see your pop up flash you'll be fine.

Before you spend the big bucks on dedicated Canon speedlights you probably need to figure out what you want to do with lighting. Even the 430 is expensive for a muck about flash.

crockny · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 03:30 PM

Well basically I live in a studio apartment with not a lot of room to set up stuff for indoor photography so I thought a flash would be a good start for photographing still lifes and portraits -- any other ideas would be gratefully accepted!

dlambert · #7 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rentham

Good point. If your slave flashes can always see your pop up flash you'll be fine.

I thought this was exactly the same as the 580 -- doesn't it use the same pre-flash technique for master-slave communication (thus, the 580 needs line-of-sight, too)?

Rentham · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-2011, 04:05 PM

Yeah both would need line of sight. But with the ability to tilt/swivel and be taken off camera with an ttl-cord, the 580 probably gives you more options there.

Quote:

Well basically I live in a studio apartment with not a lot of room to set up stuff for indoor photography so I thought a flash would be a good start for photographing still lifes and portraits -- any other ideas would be gratefully accepted!

If you are lighting people, you're going to want to get your flash off camera eventually. Of course, bouncing hotshoe flash can work but it will limit what you are able to do. Some folks bristle at the idea of starting with manual flashes, but you can get an entire Strobist style setup (flash, stand, bracket, umbrella, radio triggers) for less than the cost of 1 new 430EXII. Just something to think about.